SAN ANTONIO – It's home-opening weekend for the UTSA Roadrunners softball team, hosting the I-35 Tournament presented by Courtyard Marriott at The Rim, Feb. 17-19, at Roadrunner Field. The Roadrunners will play in five of the eight tournament games, welcoming Abilene Christian, Lamar, New Mexico State and Texas A&M - Corpus Christi to San Antonio for the weekend.
UTSA will open the weekend with back-to-back games on Friday, Feb. 17, facing Abilene Christian at 2:30 p.m., followed by Lamar at approximately 5:00 p.m.
About UTSA
Last year, UTSA finished the season 18-30 overall and 11-12 in Conference USA matchups. Last weekend, the Roadrunners registered an 0-5 record at Sam Houston's Bearkat Classic in Huntsville. Although UTSA left Sam Houston without a win, its weekend record could have easily swung the opposite way. Two of the games were decided by a single run and in the final inning, while two were decided by just two runs.
Heading into 2023, the Roadrunners returned six position starters and three pitchers from a year ago, highlighted by Preseason All-Conference honorees, utility player Marena Estell and shortstop Kat Ibarra. UTSA also welcomed nine newcomers to the 2023 roster, including six freshmen, two Division I transfers and one player from the junior college ranks.
One of several newcomers who made an early impression over in Hunstville, Missouri City (Elkins HS) freshman Madison Lenton logged a .417 batting average after playing in all five games and starting four in center field. Lenton collected five hits and scored three runs, reaching base at a .533 clip.
Also making a strong debut weekend, White Hall, Arkansas rookie Lilly Hood batted .333, recording two RBI and three runs through five starts.
Senior left fielder Ciarra Mata batted .286 and took the early team lead with five RBI.
In the circle, Santa Fe, Texas Reagan Smith freshman also stood out in her first collegiate weekend, throwing 9.1 innings across three appearances with a 4.82 ERA and a .212 opposing average. La Vernia, Texas junior Jamie Gilbert made four appearances for a team-high 15.1 innings, striking out 10 with a 5.28 ERA.
Estell was not available for the opening weekend as a hitter or pitcher, but is expected to start her 2023 season this weekend at home. A graduate student and last year's UTSA Co-Outstanding Women's Athlete of the Year, Estell made 27 appearances at pitcher with a team-best 3.54 ERA and 6-9 record across 89 innings in the circle. At the plate last year, she hit .246 with team highs of 14 home runs and 31 RBI.
About the weekend's opponents
Abilene Christian went 25-26 a year ago, finishing second in the WAC Southwest Division and reaching the second round of the WAC Championships during their first year in the league. This season, the Wildcats are 2-3 so far after hosting a season-opening tournament, paced by heavy-hitting senior outfielder Meredes Eichelberger, who wrapped the weekend at .526 with 10 hits, five RBI and six runs. Meanwhile, sophomore catcher Miranda Lista batted .500 with three doubles, three RBI and four runs. ACU is averaging 5.8 runs per outing and batting .348 as a team, logging the fourth most doubles in the nation 12 through the first week. Head coach Abigail Farler is in her fourth season at ACU with a 48-79 (.378) record. Despite the relatively short distance between the schools, it's only the third all-time meeting – with the series split at 1-1.
Lamar was 11-38 last year and finished fifth in the WAC Southwest Division. This is the Cardinals' first year in the Southland Conference and they are 0-6 so far after squaring off with larger-conference schools. Junior outfielder Aleka Xayaseng is leading the hitters with a .333 average, but Lamar has been extremely limited offensively – collecting 0.67 runs per game on .123 team batting. Head coach Amy Hooks is in her fifth season at Lamar, holding a 51-133 (.277) record. These programs are meeting for the 16th time, with UTSA holding a 12-3 advantage in the series.
New Mexico State was 13-38 in 2022 at sixth in the WAC West Division, but reached the semifinal round of the WAC Championships. In 2023, the Aggies are off to a 3-1 start after hosting Colorado State and Bradley over the weekend. Batting .330 and averaging 7.5 runs per game, NMSU has three batters over .400, led by freshman catcher Kendal Lunar at .556 with two RBI and three runs – tying for the second-most doubles in the nation (5). Juniors Jayleen Burton and Paige Knight are batting .429 and .400, respectively. Kathy Rodolph is in her 20th season as head coach at NMSU with a record of 560-481 (.538). The Aggies lead the series overall at 12-10.
Commuting the shortest distance for the weekend, Texas A&M - Corpus Christi logged a 25-27 record last year to finish third in the Southland. Picked fourth in the SLC Preseason Poll, the Islanders are 3-2 after ACU's tournament. TAMU-CC averages 5.0 runs per game and is hitting .294 as a team. Leading the way, San Antonio-native junior Sidney Campion hit .500 over the weekend, registering three RBI and four runs. Kimane Rogron added a .444 average with two RBI and three runs. Among UTSA's more familiar opponents, these teams meet for the 60th time – the series dating back to 2000 and UTSA leading 35-24. Kathleen Rodriguez is in her second season as the Islanders' head coach with a 28-29 (.491) record.
Game Information
Fans can visit the Tournament Information Page to stay up to date on this weekend's I-35 Tournament in San Antonio.
Ticket Information
Single-Game Tournament Ticket Prices (all seats general admission)
Adults: $7
Juniors (ages 3-18): $5
Seniors (ages 60+): $5
Military (with ID): $5
UTSA Students: Students receive free admission to all home games by showing a UTSA ID at the entrance to Roadrunner Field
Buy your game tickets HERE.
I-35 Tournament Complete Weekend Schedule
Friday February 17
12:00 p.m. Abilene Christian vs. Lamar
Stream: None
Live Stats: UTSA
2:30 p.m. Abilene Christian vs. UTSA
Stream: CUSA.tv
Live Stats: UTSA
5:00 p.m. Texas A&M - Corpus Christi vs. UTSA
Stream: CUSA.tv
Live Stats: UTSA
Saturday February 18
12:00 p.m. New Mexico State vs. Texas A&M - Corpus Christi
Stream: None
Live Stats: UTSA
2:30 p.m. New Mexico State vs. UTSA
Stream: CUSA.tv
Live Stats: UTSA
5:00 p.m. Texas A&M - Corpus Christi vs. UTSA
Stream: CUSA.tv
Live Stats: UTSA
Sunday February 19
10:00 a.m. Texas A&M - Corpus Christi vs. Abilene Christian
Stream: None
Live Stats: UTSA
12:30 p.m. Lamar vs. UTSA
Stream: CUSA.tv
Live Stats: UTSA
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